Particle extraction system for an interrupter

ABSTRACT

A particle extraction system for an electrical interrupter is disclosed in the present application. The particle extraction system includes a support bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter in position during a particle extraction event. An actuator system is operable for cycling the interrupter to dislodge and release foreign particles internal to the interrupter. A fluid source and pumping system is in fluid communication with at least one internal flowpath within the interrupter to entrain and transport the released particle from the interrupter. A vacuum slot is operable for receiving a fluid flow with entrained particles and transporting the particles to a particle capture device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to a particle extractionsystem and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a particleextraction system for an electrical interrupter.

BACKGROUND

Electrical interrupters are constructed to interrupt electrical power byseparating one conductor from another a distance sufficient to preventelectrical arcing between the conductors. The movement of componentswithin an interrupter can cause particle displacement especially duringan initial break-in time period. In some instances, displaced particlesmay at least partially align to provide an electrical pathway sufficientto permit electrical arcing in undesirable locations. A particleextraction system can remove unwanted particles generated thoughmanufacturing processes and certain wear conditions during initialbreak-in periods. Some existing systems have various shortcomingsrelative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need forfurther contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present application is a unique a particleextraction system for electrical interrupters. Other embodiments includeapparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aparticle extraction system. Further embodiments, forms, features,aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shallbecome apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical interrupter according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of an electrical interrupter according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the electrical interrupterof FIG. 1 positioned in a particle separator system according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4a to 4d are perspective views of the particle separator systemillustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the particle separator systemillustrated in FIG. 3 with a portion of the housing cut away to showcertain internal features; and

FIGS. 6a to 6d are perspective views of an electrical interrupter systemaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theapplication, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustratedin the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope ofthe application is thereby intended. Any alterations and furthermodifications in the described embodiments, and any further applicationsof the principles of the application as described herein arecontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe application relates.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical interrupter system 10 is illustratedin one exemplary form. The interrupter system 10 is operable to permitelectrical current to selectively flow therethough in a firstconfiguration and prevent electrical current from flowing therethroughin a second configuration. In this manner a portion of an electricalsystem such as high tension wiring or components in a power station maybe isolated from a source of electrical power so that maintenanceprocedures or the like may be safely accomplished on portions of thesystem 10.

Interrupters operate by moving a portion of an electrical conductor suchthat an inlet conductor portion is separated from an outlet conductorportion by a gap or space that is formed at a sufficient distance toprevent electrical arcing from the inlet portion to the outlet portion.The movement of the conductor can generate loose particles throughmechanical abrasive wear during a break-in period. A break-in period caninclude multiple cycle operations over a defined period of time. Oneillustrative process includes several hundred cycles over a definedperiod of time. Undesirable particles or foreign matter may also resultfrom manufacturing processes, assembly processes or maintenanceprocesses. These loose particles can move around within the interrupterand in some cases lead to subsequent dielectric failures. Dielectricfailure may be caused by the particles becoming charged andinadvertently aligned by an electric field during use or operation ofthe interrupter. In certain cases, the alignment may form a bridgeacross a dielectric medium within the gap formed between the inlet anoutlet conductors in the interrupter. The dielectric medium can includegases such as an SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) dielectric gas, ambient air,a vacuum or other dielectric materials as desired. A breakdown in thedielectric medium can result in undesirable arcing between the inlet andoutlet conductors or to regions of the system that are at differentelectric potentials, e.g., regions at transmission voltage and regionsat ground potential.

The particle removal system and method disclosed herein is operable toremove undesirable particles from an interrupter prior to commercialuse, e.g., prior to delivery to a customer. The system and method mayalso be used subsequent to initial commercial use by a customer torepair or perform maintenance/overhaul procedures prior to returning theunit to the field. In some forms, the particle removal system may beused for testing purposes such as by way of example and not limitationfor design verification testing, cyclic endurance testing, or the like.

In some embodiments, the interrupter may be enclosed or partiallyenclosed in a volume. A vacuum or draw-down blower may be used to draw afluid, such as air, for example, through the interrupter. The system mayinclude a compressor or blower for pressurizing air or another fluid,and may include a de-ionizer for de-ionizing the fluid. The air and/orde-ionized air may be passed through the interrupter, through aplurality of nozzles. The nozzles may be positioned at or insertedthrough openings in the interrupter, such as pre-existing openings inthe interrupter, e.g., safety or access panels or ports or interfaceswith features or components that are decoupled with the interrupter atthe time of the testing. The de-ionized air may be evacuated through anysuch opening defined in the interrupter. The de-ionized air may reduceor eliminate charges in some of the particles, reducing or eliminatingan electrostatic attraction between the particles and surfaces on or inthe interrupter, which may make the particles more likely to separatefrom the surfaces and be entrained into the flow of air passing throughthe interrupter during the break-in testing procedures.

In some embodiments, a motor or other actuator might actuate theinterrupter contact mechanism while the air is flowing through portionsof the system. This may free existing particles that are disposed in theinterrupter. This procedure may also generate entrainment of an initialamount of break-in wear particles that may be removed during thebreak-in testing, which might otherwise be generated during operationaluse in the field. The motor and other electrical components may becontrolled by an electronic controller. In some aspects, vibrationand/or shock actuators may be employed to aid in removing particles. Thevibration may cause the particle to break loose from a resting positionand become entrained in an air flow stream. The entrained particles maythen be captured in a filter or with other types of separator systemslocated downstream of the interrupter.

In some embodiments, a particle counter, e.g., an optical or laserparticle counter may be used to count or otherwise determine the amountof particles exiting the component during the particle extraction, whichmay be used to determine or control the duration of the break-intesting, e.g., based on an amount of particles removed, an achievedparticle removal rate or reduction in particle removal rate, or otherparticle count/rate based parameter. In some embodiments, the system maybe constructed to perform testing on multiple interrupterssimultaneously.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the exemplary interrupter system 10 is shown incross-sectional form. The interrupter system 10 includes a housing 11with a first boss 12 and a second boss 13 extending therefrom. A firstinsulator member 14 can be positioned about the first boss 12 and asecond insulator member 15 can be positioned about the second boss 13. Afirst electrical conduit 16 a extends through the first boss 12 and iselectrically connected to an electrical interrupter 20. A secondelectrical conduit 16 b extends through the second boss 13 and is alsoelectrically connected to the electrical interrupter 20. The electricalinterrupter 20 can include a first interrupter portion 22 in electricalcommunication with the first electrical conductor 16 a and a secondinterrupter portion 24 in electrical communication with the secondelectrical conductor 16 b. The first and second electrical conductors 16a, 16 b can provide transmission means from a power source to a powerconsumer when electrically connected together via a third interrupterportion 26.

The third interrupter portion 26 can be moved or otherwise manipulatedbetween a first position wherein the first and second portions 22, 24are in electrical communication and a second position wherein the firstand second portions 22, 24 are not in electrical communication with oneanother. The movement of the third portion 26 can include translationalmovement along a longitudinal direction defined along an axis 27,movement in a transverse direction relative to the axis 27, a rotationalmovement about the axis 27 or any combination thereof. In some forms themovement can be steady at a constant velocity and in other forms themovement can be unsteady, intermittent, and/or with variousaccelerations. In yet other forms movement of any portion of theinterrupter 20 can include a vibration induced by an actuator system aswill be described in further detail below.

The Interrupter 20 can be supported within the housing 11 by variousmeans and in the exemplary embodiment first and second standoffs 40, 42are used. In some forms the standoffs 40, 42 can be electricallyconductive and in other forms the standoffs can be electrically isolateddepending on the design characteristics of the interrupter 20 and thehousing 11. The housing can be connected to ground via one or moreconductive lines 44 and can be supported by one or more structures suchas a first leg support 46 and a second leg support 48.

A lever arm 50 such as a bell crank or the like can be connected to aportion of the interrupter 20 such as the third interrupter portion 26via a movable control rod 52 or the like. In one form the lever arm 50can include a pivot 54 and can be operably connected to an actuationmeans such as a linear actuator or an electric motor or the like. Theactuation means, not shown, causes the interrupter 20 to move between anelectrically conductive position and an electrically isolated positionas desired. In other embodiments, multiple control rods and/or multipleactuators may be employed in various locations throughout theinterrupter 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a particle extraction system 100 for aninterrupter 20 as defined by one embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated. The particle extraction system 100 can include a supportbay 101 for holding the interrupter 20. One or more connector arms 103can extend from the support bay 101 to engage with and hold theinterrupter 20 in a fixed position. The connector arms 103 can beremovably coupled to the interrupter 20 via mechanical means suchthreaded fasteners, slot and groove combinations, clamps or other meansas known by those skilled in the art. The particle extraction system 100can include a control system 102 with a monitor 104 having aninput/output system 106 operably coupled to the control system 100.

Particles can be removed from the interrupter 20 through a plurality oflocations. By way of example and not limitation, a particle egress port108 may define one location for ejecting a particle from an internalregion of the interrupter 20. As particles are removed from theinterrupter 20, one or more vacuum slots 110 formed in the support bay101 of the particle extraction system 100 may receive and remove saidparticles from the support bay 101. The vacuum slots 110 may be fluidlycoupled to one or more return ducts 112. In one form a working fluidutilized to transport the particles from the support bay 101 can be airor de-ionized air; however other fluids may be used and are contemplatedherein.

The particle extraction system 100 can also include a compressed aircollar 114 operable for delivering compressed air or other fluid from asource (not shown) into one or more air inlet ports 116 located on theinterrupter 20. The air inlet ports 116 can be in fluid communicationwith one or more internal flowpaths (not shown) of the interrupter 20 tohelp facilitate removal of the internal particles. The compressed airflow may entrain certain particles within the internal flowpaths andcarry said particles out of the interrupter 20 through the egress port108 or other locations defined by the system and then subsequentlyremoved through the vacuum slots 110. A portion of the air can bereturned through air return ducts 112 so that a flow of air iscontinuously circulating from the support bay 101 through the vacuumslots 110 and returned through the return ducts 112 after dischargingthe particles in a filter (not shown) or other particle removal device,such as an inertial particle separator.

The support bay 101 of the particle extraction system 100 may includeone or more access panels 130 to provide access to internal actuators,gear systems, shaking or vibration means, pumps, filters, controllers,electronics, shock absorbers, duct works, particle measurement systemsincluding laser systems, and other devices for operating the system 100.The support bay 101 may also include a hinged cover 132 to enclose theinterrupter 20 during system operation. The hinged cover 132 cansealingly engage with the support bay 101 such that fluid will berestricted from flowing into the external region around the system 100during operation. In one form the hinged cover and can be partiallytransparent to permit an operator to view the interrupter 20 duringoperation of the system. FIGS. 4a to 4d show various views of theparticle extraction system 100.

FIG. 5 shows portions of the particle extraction system 100 with theouter housing removed. In one form the actuator system 150 can includean electric motor as a motive source. In the disclosed embodiment, firstand second electric motors 152, 154 are operably connected to an adaptor160 via first and second shafts 156, 158 respectively. In some forms thefirst and second motors 152, 154 may be directly coupled to a bell crank(not shown) to operate a left, a right, or a center pole (also notshown) independently. The adaptor 160 can be connected to one or morelever arms such as the lever arm 50 (see FIG. 2) to permit the actuatorsystem 150 to cycle portions of the interrupter 20 between the first andsecond positions so that particles can be displaced and removed from theinterrupter 20. The adaptor 160 can include gears, shock absorbers,connector couplings and other features operable for cycling theinterrupter in a desired fashion. A pump system 165 including a vacuumpump (not shown) and/or a compressor (not shown) can be operably coupledto the vacuum slots 110 to provide suction or pressure flow to removethe displaced particles and to provide compressed air to the compressedair collar 114 (See FIG. 3). The pump system 160 may include one or morepumps or fluid compressors to provide a pressurized fluid flow and/or todraw a vacuum through portions of the particle extraction system 100.

A filter system 162 can be operably connected to the pump system 160 soas to remove and capture displaced particles from a fluid flow andprevent recirculation of the displaced particles. In one form the filtersystem can include an inertial particle separator device such as avortex or cyclone type of device. The inertial particle separator isoperable to separate displaced particles from fluid entrainment viainertial forces such as momentum and gravitational forces. In one forman inertial particle separator can include a vortex or cycloneoperation. In another form the filter can include one or more filterdevices. The filter devices may include any of various types of filtermedia. One example of a filter media is fiberglass media that is definedby layered fiberglass fibers to form the filter media, Another exampleof filter media may include a polyester pleated filter material whichare similar to fiberglass filters, but typically have a higherresistance to airflow and a superior dust-stopping capability. Otherexamples include washable filters formed of a variety of materials knownto those skilled in the art. In other forms the particle separatorsystem can include inertial systems such as centripetal separators orcyclonic devices to remove particles from the fluid system.

The particle extraction system 100 can also include an electroniccontrol system 170 which can include a central processing unit (CPU),memory, input/output systems, relays and other electronic systems forcontrolling the operation of the system 100. A particle measurementsystem 180 can also be implemented with the pump system 165 so that thesystem 100 can determine the particle removal rate. The control system170 can be programed to shut the system 100 down after the particleremoval rate falls below a predetermined threshold. The threshold limitmay be empirically determined such that any remaining particles will notbe able to cause undesirable arcing within the interrupter 20 duringoperation in the field.

FIGS. 6a to 6d illustrate perspective views of a particle extractionsystem 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.The particle extraction system 200 can include a housing 202 with aremovable or pivotable cover 204 that may be positioned over aninterrupter 20 in the housing 202. A motive or actuation source 210 suchas a motor or the like may be connected to a power transmission member212 such as linear or rotational actuator. The power transmission member212 may be operably connected to a lever arm (not shown) of theinterrupter 20 through an adapter 216 with a connector arm 218. Othermeans of actuation connection to the lever arm of the interrupter 20 mayalso be employed as one skilled in the art would readily understand. Inthis manner the motive source 210 may cycle the interrupter to generateand release particles as described previously. A vacuum system 230 maybe operably connected to the housing 202 through a vacuum conduit 232that is connected to a housing outlet 234. In this manner, during system200 operation, any particles that are displaced from the interrupter 20may be discharged through the housing outlet 234 and retained in thevacuum system 230.

In operation a particle extraction system can remove or extractparticles prior to final product assembly and/or during a break-inperiod. Furthermore the particle extraction system may provide aquantitative measurement to assess the product cleanliness throughcorrelation with a cleanliness level. The particle extraction system mayuse low and/or high pressure de-ionized air (or other fluid medium)flow, filtration system and a control system to operate an interrupterin a simulated operating conditions. In some forms, the particleextraction system may use shock and vibration inputs into theinterrupter to facilitate particle extraction. Low pressure and highflow vacuum systems with filters, inertial separators and a de-ionizersystem may collect the particles from the extraction chamber. In thismanner, the particle extraction system may provide interrupters thathave reduced failure rates and increased service life over similarinterrupters not having been processed with the particle extractionsystem.

In one aspect the present disclosure includes a particle extractionsystem comprising: a support bay configured to hold an electricalinterrupter; an actuator system operable for cycling the electricalinterrupter to release particles; a fluid source in fluid communicationwith internal flowpaths formed within the interrupter, wherein flowingfluid from the fluid source is operable to entrain released particlestherewith; and a vacuum slot operable for receiving the flowing fluidand the entrained particles egressed from the interrupter.

In refining aspects the particle extraction includes an electricalactuator operable for actuating a movable portion of the electricalinterrupter between first and second positions; wherein the electricalactuator includes an electric motor; wherein the electrical actuatorincludes a second electric motor; an adaptor connected to the electricactuator; a rotatable shaft operably connected to the adaptor; areciprocating rod connected between the adaptor and the movable portionof the electrical interrupter; an electronic controller operable forcontrolling the actuation system; wherein foreign particles aredislodged within the electrical interrupter when the movable portion isactuated between the first and second positions; wherein the actuationsystem is operable for independently actuating a plurality of movableelements within the electrical interrupter; a fluid pumping system influid communication with the fluid source; wherein the fluid pumpingsystem is configured to produce a compressed fluid flow and/or produce avacuum within the support; a particle separator for removing particlesfrom the fluid; and the particle separator includes at least one of afilter device and an inertial particle removal device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method comprising:cycling a component in an electrical interrupter between first andsecond positions; dislodging and releasing particles within theelectrical interrupter during the cycling; entraining the releasedparticles in a flowing fluid; discharging the flowing fluid andentrained particles from the electrical interrupter; separating thedischarged particles from the flowing fluid; and capturing thedischarged particles.

In refining aspects, the cycling includes operating an electronicactuator; the cycling includes rotating a shaft connected to theelectric; the cycling includes moving a reciprocating rod in response tothe rotating shaft; controlling the cycling and capturing with anelectronic controller; the entraining includes flowing fluid through theelectrical interrupter and a particle extraction system in fluidcommunication with a support bay; the separating and capturing includesat least one of a filter device and an inertial device; and the cyclingincludes moving a plurality of conducting elements within the electricalinterrupter.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a particle extractionapparatus comprising: a particle dislodging apparatus operablyconnectable to an electrical interrupter; a particle removal apparatusoperably connectable to the electrical interrupter; and an electroniccontrol system operably connected to the particle dislodging apparatusand to the particle removal apparatus.

In refining aspects, the particle dislodging apparatus includes anactuation system for moving internal components of the electricalinterrupter when installed in a support bay; the particle dislodgingapparatus includes a compressed air collar connected between the supportbay and the electrical interrupter; the particle removal apparatusincludes at least one vacuum slot formed in the support bay; theparticle removal apparatus includes at least one of a filter system andan inertial particle separator system is in fluid communication with theat least one vacuum slot in the support bay.

While the application has been illustrated and described in detail inthe drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theapplications are desired to be protected. It should be understood thatwhile the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or morepreferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature sodescribed may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary andembodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope ofthe application, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. Inreading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,”“at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intentionto limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to thecontrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “aportion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire itemunless specifically stated to the contrary.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,”“supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly andencompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, andcouplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted tophysical or mechanical connections or couplings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A particle extraction system comprising: asupport bay configured to hold an electrical interrupter; an actuatorsystem operable for cycling the electrical interrupter to releaseparticles; a fluid source in fluid communication with internal flowpathsformed within the interrupter, wherein flowing fluid from the fluidsource is operable to entrain released particles therewith; and a vacuumslot operable for receiving the flowing fluid and the entrainedparticles egressed from the interrupter.
 2. The particle extractionsystem of claim 1, wherein the actuation system includes an electricalactuator operable for actuating a movable portion of the electricalinterrupter between first and second positions.
 3. The particleextraction system of claim 2, wherein the electrical actuator includesan electric motor.
 4. The particle extraction system of claim 3, whereinthe electrical actuator includes a second electric motor.
 5. Theparticle extraction system of claim 2 further comprising an adaptorconnected to the electric actuator.
 6. The particle extraction system ofclaim 5 further comprising a rotatable shaft operably connected to theadaptor.
 7. The particle extraction system of claim 5 further comprisinga reciprocating rod connected between the adaptor and the movableportion of the electrical interrupter.
 8. The particle extraction systemof claim 1 further comprising an electronic controller operable forcontrolling the actuation system.
 9. The particle extraction system ofclaim 2, wherein foreign particles are dislodged within the electricalinterrupter when the movable portion is actuated between the first andsecond positions.
 10. The particle extraction system of claim 1, whereinthe actuation system is operable for independently actuating a pluralityof movable elements within the electrical interrupter.
 11. The particleextraction system of claim 1 further comprising a fluid pumping systemin fluid communication with the fluid source.
 12. The particleextraction system of claim 11, wherein the fluid pumping system isconfigured to produce a compressed fluid flow and/or produce a vacuumwithin the support bay.
 13. The particle extraction system of claim 1further comprising a particle separator for removing particles from thefluid.
 14. The particle extraction system of claim 13, wherein theparticle separator includes at least one of a filter device and aninertial particle removal device.
 15. A method comprising: cycling acomponent in an electrical interrupter between first and secondpositions; dislodging and releasing particles within the electricalinterrupter during the cycling; entraining the released particles in aflowing fluid; discharging the flowing fluid and entrained particlesfrom the electrical interrupter; separating the discharged particlesfrom the flowing fluid; and capturing the discharged particles.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the cycling includes operating an electronicactuator.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cycling includesrotating a shaft connected to the electric actuator.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the cycling includes moving a reciprocating rod inresponse to the rotating shaft.
 19. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising controlling the cycling and capturing with an electroniccontroller.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the entraining includesflowing fluid through the electrical interrupter and a particleextraction system in fluid communication with a support bay.
 21. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the separating and capturing includes atleast one of a filter device and an inertial device.
 22. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the cycling includes moving a plurality of conductingelements within the electrical interrupter.
 23. A particle extractionapparatus comprising: a particle dislodging apparatus operablyconnectable to an electrical interrupter; a particle removal apparatusoperably connectable to the electrical interrupter; and an electroniccontrol system operably connected to the particle dislodging apparatusand to the particle removal apparatus.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the particle dislodging apparatus includes an actuation systemfor moving internal components of the electrical interrupter wheninstalled in a support bay.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein theparticle dislodging apparatus includes a compressed air collar connectedbetween the support bay and the electrical interrupter.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein the particle removal apparatus includesat least one vacuum slot formed in the support bay.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the particle removal apparatus includes at least oneof a filter system and an inertial particle separator system in fluidcommunication with the at least one vacuum slot in the support bay.